Glossary term
CVSS
Also: Common Vulnerability Scoring System
Standardised scoring system for vulnerabilities with a 0-10 score. Current version CVSS v4.0 (2023). Measures Base, Temporal and Environmental Metrics. Often criticised for lack of exploitability signal.
Score tiers: 0-3.9 Low, 4-6.9 Medium, 7-8.9 High, 9-10 Critical. Base metrics: Attack Vector, Attack Complexity, Privileges Required, User Interaction, Scope, Impact (C/I/A).
CVSS v4.0 vs v3.1: v4.0 introduces threat metrics (replacing temporal), environmental metrics, supplemental metrics and more granular impact definition. Not every vendor has moved to v4.0; a mixed world persists in 2025-2026.
In practice
Criticism: CVSS alone does not indicate actual exploitation. Modern programmes therefore add EPSS (likelihood of exploitation in the next 30 days) and KEV listing.
Related terms
CVE
Global identifier for publicly known security vulnerabilities in software and hardware. Format CVE-YYYY-NNNN, run by MITRE on behalf of CISA. More than 200,000 CVEs as of 2025.
SBOM
Machine-readable inventory of all components in a software incl. versions, licences and dependencies. Formats: SPDX, CycloneDX, SWID. Mandatory in regulated areas; in the US driven by Executive Order 14028.
CASB
Security layer between users and SaaS providing visibility (shadow IT discovery), data protection (DLP), compliance, and threat protection across SaaS apps. Four functions per Gartner: visibility, compliance, data security, threat protection.
CNAPP
Gartner platform category that combines CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, KSPM, DSPM and IaC scanning into one tool. Answer to tool fragmentation in cloud security stacks.
Compliance mapping
The explicit link between a decision (vendor, architecture, control) and the specific regulatory articles, controls or standards it satisfies. Without compliance mapping, a memo cannot be defended under audit against a named clause.
Confidential Computing
Hardware-based isolation that keeps data encrypted during processing (data-in-use). Complements encryption at rest and in transit. Technologies: Intel SGX, Intel TDX, AMD SEV-SNP, ARM CCA, Nvidia H100 Confidential Computing.
Critical ICT Third-Party Provider (CTPP)
ICT third-party provider designated critical by the European Commission under DORA Art. 31, falling under direct supervision of one of the three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, ESMA). First CTPP designations expected in 2025/2026.
CSPM
Software category for continuous review of cloud configurations against security benchmarks (CIS, NIST, BSI cloud requirements). Finds misconfigurations like open S3 buckets, missing encryption, insecure IAM policies.